Kidnapped Nawanshahr man rescued in Iran, war tensions keep kin on edge

After a few days of relief, apprehension has gripped the family of Langroya-based Jaspal Singh (32) again. Jaspal, who was allegedly kidnapped in Iran, was rescued. It had brought happiness to his family. However, the rising tensions between Iran and Israel have left them anxious. According to the family, Jaspal is still in Iran.

Back home, Jaspal's brother Balwinder Singh expressed cautious optimism. “My brother along with others is recording his statements regarding what had happened when he was kidnapped. There were some network issues for the last two days, but we received a message from him on Saturday, saying he is safe and everything is fine,” Balwinder said.

“Although my brother clearly told us that everything is fine and we know there is no need to worry, news about the growing tensions between Iran and Israel is a little worrying. We hope he’ll return home in a day or two," he added.

“We are continuously watching the news about the tensions between Iran and Israel and are just waiting for him to come back to us,” Balwinder said.

Jaspal, one of three youths from Punjab reportedly abducted in Iran, had ventured abroad in search of a better future for his family. With aspirations to reach Australia, he approached a travel agent based in Hoshiarpur, who promised to arrange his journey. The family painstakingly gathered Rs 18 lakh—through loans and savings—and handed it over to the agent, unaware of the ordeal that would follow.

Jaspal is the father of two young children — the eldest is just three years old, while the younger is only three-month old.

The incident also highlights the growing trend of youths from Punjab seeking overseas opportunities through unverified agents, often leading to distressing situations.

Kuldip Kaur had earlier said that the family was receiving daily video calls in which her husband was seen being beaten brutally. "It was only today that we received a normal phone call from Jaspal saying he was fine and safe," Kuldip Kaur had told The Tribune.